Crossword Genius

The German to entertain stranger who is old and infirm? (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

dodderer

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'the german to entertain stranger who is old and infirm?' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?

'the german to entertain stranger' is the wordplay.
'the german' becomes 'der' ('the' in German).
'to entertain' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'stranger' becomes 'odder' (more odd).
'der' enclosing 'odder' is 'DODDERER'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for dodderer that I've seen before include "one unsteady on his feet" , "one both decrepit and shaky" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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